James Drinkwater - Hand Embellished Unique State Etchings

10 May 2018

In 2015—six months after being awarded the coveted Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship—James Drinkwater journeyed into the interior of Australia. Working en plein air in the dry creek beds with canvases roped to desert oaks, the artist created paintings, drawings and hand embellished unique state etchings.

It was a pivotal moment in the artist's career. His vision of the ancient land, created from those hot and heady days and nights, has become known as “Encrusting the Marvellous Heart”.  It was a deeply personal exploration by the artist of the landscape and the history of the people who have walked it forever.  As he worked, his feelings of longing for his young family at home were foremost in his head. Yet the lure of the country kept him working feverously. 

Published by Block Editions, the Encrusting the Marvellous Heart collection has not been released for sale until now. It is a time capsule of a remarkable moment in the artist's life. Such is the regard of this body of work, the Art Gallery of NSW has acquired two works for their permanent collection.

Drinkwater's process of painting directly with sugar-lift on etching plates—scratching them on the ironstone of the MacDonnell Ranges and ultimately reworking individually in ink, pencil and gouache—provide an insight into the artist's most intimate moments within the vast country that he worked. They are at once rugged and romantic. 

At the time, the artist penned a poem to accompany the series.  He offered an explanation to me of the meaning of his words and, with his permission, I publish it here.

VIEW CATALOGUE

Media

NICHOLAS BLOWERS WINS THE 2024 GLOVER PRIZE FOR LANDSCAPE PAINTING

11 March 2024

Congratulations to Nicholas Blowers, winner of the 2024 Glover Prize, one of Australia's most prestigious art prizes.

 

Read more
Media

'Canvas as Sanctum' by Joe Frost for Artist Profile features Stephanie Eather's recent N\H solo 'From Vernon Terrace'

11 March 2024

Stephanie Eathers work from her Project Space exhibition 'From Vernon Terrace' is reviewed by writer Joe Frost alongside painters Norma Napanangka and Maximilian Daniels, for Artist Profile.

Read more
NH Event

Caroline Zilinsky survey exhibition on show at University Gallery, Newcastle University—28 Feb - 20 Apr

26 February 2024

The University Gallery at Newcastle University is exhibiting a major survey show of artist, Caroline Zilinsky from 28 February to 20 April, 2024. Join the artist for a launch event on Saturday 16 March.

Read more
12 - 14 Meagher Street Chippendale, NSW 2008
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday, 11am - 4pm Closed Public Holidays (and Easter Saturday)